The NBA and NBPA’s Respect the Game program encourages respectful behavior at all levels of the sport, including youth basketball. The initiative promotes healthy and respectful relationships between players, coaches, parents, and referees through a wide range of content, resources, and events that advance the NBA’s and NBPA’s core values and underscore the importance of fostering a positive youth sports culture.

We encourage everyone in the youth basketball community to utilize the Jr. NBA pledge to continue creating positive, fun, competitive, and developmentally appropriate basketball experiences

View the Jr. NBA Respect the Game Pledge

• Parents
  

  Jr. NBA Respect for the Game provides resources to assist parents in positively supporting the development of their young athlete.

  Jr. NBA Parent Forums give families a chance to hear insight from NBA and WNBA players and their parents on navigating the increasingly complex youth sports landscape.

  • Parent Tips
  • Parent Checklist
  • Did You Win? Did You Lose? Those Are The Wrong Questions For Parents To Ask

• Coaches

  

  Jr. NBA Respect the Game places a focus on coach development on and off the court. The initiative also includes tools for coaches of all levels to teach their players life lessons and skills through basketball.

  • Jr. NBA Instructional Curriculum
  • Coaching Tips
  • The ABCD’s of the Jr. NBA
  • Jr. NBA Coaches Code of Conduct
  • Jr. NBA Coach App
  • Live Respect: Coaching Healthy and Respectful Manhood

  Jr. NBA Coaches Forums are a chance for coaches to expand their professional network and skills. Forums emphasize the important role coaches play in instilling love and respect for the game in young athletes.

• Officials

  

  Jr. NBA Respect the Game represents an increased commitment to the development of youth basketball officials.

  Jr. NBA referee camps and forums include technical training and rules education, and provide an opportunity for current and aspiring referees to learn from NBA officials and each other. Referee education also includes an emphasis on mental wellness and healthy interactions with spectators, coaches, parents, and players.

  • Show Officials Respect

• Organizations
  
  There are many ways you can incorporate Jr. NBA Respect for the Game into your youth basketball program.

  Access our Jr. NBA Respect the Game Administrator Guide to develop coaches, inform parents, and educate youth.

• National Partners
  

  Athlete Ally is a nonprofit organization focused on ending homophobia in sports by educating allies in the athletic community

  

  Positive Coaching Alliance is a nonprofit that develops resources for youth and high school sports coaches, parents, administrators and student-athletes

  

  A Call to Men is a leading nonprofit organization that uses sports to promote a more positive and healthy definition of manhood